On September 3, 2020, the Chinese National Health Commission displayed the amendment to the pending mandatory standard, “GB 388750-2020 Lists of Material and Restricted Substances in Disinfectants”, which is due to take effect on November 1, 2020.

The standard was promulgated earlier this year without any publicity process but the most debated issue is the limited number of permitted inert ingredients. Industries have strongly criticized that the standard would pose interference with current enforcing practice and hindrance to innovative development. After hearing a wide range of industry opinions collected by the China Cleaning Industry Association (CCIA), NHC proposed significant changes to GB 38850:

• The inert ingredient list was completely removed;

• The use scope of existing active ingredients went from allowable to recommended one;

• The use of central-air conditioning ventilation system was removed;

• Sodium percarbonate was newly included as an existing active ingredient used for environment and object surface and hospital sewage;

• Chlorine dioxide, citric acid and PHMB were added with environmental usage;

Reference Links

• NHC's Amendment to GB 38850-2020 (in Chinese)

• Controversies over China’s Upcoming Cataloged Management of Disinfectant Ingredients: GB 38850

• Interpreting the Laboratorial and Field Efficacy Evaluation of Disinfectants in China: GBT 38502 and GBT 38504

• China NHC Releases Interim Measures for the Emergency Use of 4 Disinfectants

• China NHC Released Hygienic Standard for Efficacy Tests of Antimicrobial Products

• China NHC Publishes New Mandatory Technical Requirements for Premarketing Assessment on Disinfection Products

• Regulatory Status of Disinfectant Wet Wipes in China

• The Management of Drinking Water Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) in China

• An Introduction to Food Use Biocides under Chinese Disinfectant Regulations